On Memorial Day weekend, my car was parked outside, and apparently back passenger window was left open, which caused the backseat area of the car to be soaked in water. We noticed that in the morning, and parked the car inside the garage, and kept the door and windows open so it could dry quickly. However, a few hours later, around 4:30 pm, the car caught fire while parked in the garage. We called 911 right away and quickly using two fire extinguishers, quickly put out the fire. The Frisco Fire Department opened up the investigation, and I believe they concluded the cause of the fire was an electrical short circuit due to water or battery-related issues. The fire incident occurred inside the garage, which could have potentially burned the entire house. However, due to the brave actions of my [XXX] , we put the fire out, but he ended up in the hospital due to severe smoke inhalation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2023 Tesla Model Y: fire, smoke or burning smell
5 of the 1,198 complaints about the 2023 Tesla Model Y describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 0%
- recalls
- 4
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 - 50 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to regain control of the vehicle and attempting to correct the steering wheel, the vehicle kept going to the right and to the left independently. The contact was unable to regain control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle struck a railing and a concrete divider with the passenger’s side front bumper and then the rear passenger’s side quarter panel, and the vehicle spun around on the highway and came to a stop. The contact pressed the emergency latch to exit the vehicle out of fear that the vehicle might catch on fire. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side tire was pushed back due to the impact. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that all the air bags deployed as designed. The vehicle was towed to a local Collision Center. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that the vehicle was deemed destroyed by the Insurance Provider. The contact sustained injuries to the upper back, left shoulder, right elbow, and neck; however, there were no broken bones reported. The contact received medical attention for the injuries sustained. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Vehicle had a open window during rain storm. Interior got wet. Next day the vehicle was left to dry out. Vehicle caught on fire and engulfed in flames in the backseat. Nobody was harmed fire was contained by the Frisco Fire Department. Vehicle was then towed away.
How did Tesla pass the Safety Standards for the position of rear door handles to manually open the vehicle? The vehicle gets into an accident OR the car plunges into water - and this almost always results in a non-responsive/deal battery. *** The rear passengers are hurt and you want them to find that little piece of rubber mat hidden in a cranny, lift it, and then use their nail to open the plastic cover to reach that piece of junk to manually open the door? ** NO WAY !! Manual door handle in the rear doors should be placed where it's easily accessible, just like you have on the front doors. This is truly a life threatening safety issue with how Tesla has hide the rear passenger manual door handles. Please force Tesla to issue a recall and fix the issue by providing an easy access to manually open the rear door in emergencies. The car gets on fire and rear passengers may burn alive because they won't be able to open the door due to the current system of a super hidden rear door handle. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH in autopilot mode when the vehicle crashed into a tree. After the crash, the vehicle battery caught on fire and there was an explosion. The contact sustained bruises on the left hand that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed but no further information was available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The failure mileage was unknown.
Service bulletins that may apply
- On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate...
- On some Model Y vehicles, the center high mounted stop light may
- On certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, a defective electrical component inside the High Voltage...
- Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may require replacement of the front body controller module due to a...
- On certain Model Y vehicles, the structural pack High Voltage (HV) battery may not have been manufactured...
- Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may require HV battery replacement because the wire bonds within...
Related recalls
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
- Risk
- An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Recall number 24V554000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Recall number 24V051000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ADAS: driver monitoring: software
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
- Risk
- In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Recall number 23V838000 · Recall details
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.
- Risk
- A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
- Remedy
- Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-16-005.
Recall number 23V434000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2023 Tesla Model Y fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2023 Tesla Model Y?
5 of 1,198 owner complaints about the 2023 Tesla Model Y (0%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2023 Tesla Model Y?
There are 4 recalls and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2023 Tesla Model Y
Adaptive cruise 251Phantom braking 128Ball joint 76Collision warning 60Power steering loss 45Wipers 42Sudden acceleration 36Lane assist 35Jerking 24Harsh shifting 22Steering lock-up 19Loss of power 18Grinding brakes 16Seat belt 16No deployment 15Headlights 15Backup camera 11Stalling 10Steering noise 10Brake failure 8Screen failure 7ABS 6Tire blowout 6
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